Lyrical, elegant and deeply expressive, the inimitable piano playing of Ellis Larkins has been compared to a rainbow of interwoven musical textures. His extraordinarily sensitive touch on the keys and masterful layering of delicate melodic lines and lush harmonies created impressionistic soundscapes and intimate moods of warmth and light nostalgia. Despite possessing enviable virtuosic technique, Larkins never allowed his vast skills to diminish his sense of musicality and always seemed to play the right note at just the right time.

This outstanding release includes two of Ellis Larkins best 1950s recordings; the 1956 Manhattan at Midnight session with guitarist Art Ryerson and bassist Beverly Peer and the 1958 Blue and Sentimental duo with bassist Joe Benjamin, and quartet with Benjamin, guitarist Skeeter Best and drummer Jimmy Crawford.

The first session is a tribute to The Big Apple and features a suite of fifteen classic jazz and popular standards dedicated to the legendary city. The second date is most notable in that it showcases Larkins lesser-known talents as a composer, and includes such interesting originals as Interlude #1, Interlude #2, At Loose Ends, Ode To Marie and Four Bar Intro With Tag.